Understanding Standards

By William Given

By the time most exhibitors of purebred dogs make their first trip into the show ring, they have narrowed their interest to one breed. About the time they make their second ring appearance, they will have learned that there exists differences in the quality of dogs within their breed. Those differences may be recognized on a varying scale of values between puppies and adults, as well as those which are pet quality, those competing in companion and performance events, and those that are conformation champions and breeding stock.

It is a maxim, which is almost universally accepted, that “beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” However, when this particular type of beauty is to be assessed and debated between two breed enthusiasts, or among any number of purebred dog owners (say, for example, at a dog show or club meeting), the “eyes” of a few of the “beholders” will likely require some amount of stabilizing guidance in finding agreement, in principle, yet still allowing for individual interpretation.

And, even before a breed is granted full recognition and assigned a group classification, it is necessary that an authoritative description be submitted and adopted. This definitive document then becomes the breed’s “Standard of Perfection.” After approval by the American Kennel Club, it becomes the “frame of reference” in the difference of opinion between estimates of “beauty” in the “eyes” of the many different “beholders.”

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Posted by Liz on Jun 3 2023. Filed under Current Articles, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.